HIV Antibody Testing
at the
Berkeley Free Clinic: Frequently Asked Questions
Where can
I get tested for HIV?
- The Berkeley Free Clinic offers free, anonymous testing
every
Sunday between 5 and 7 pm on a first-come first-serve basis. We are
located at 2339 Durant Ave. near Dana St. in Berkeley. Directions
and
Maps to the Berkeley Free Clinic.
- On
Saturday afternoons we offer free, anonymous drop-in
testing for
women only from 12 noon to 2 pm.
- For other
test sites in Northern California call (800)
FOR AIDS.
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What does
"anonymous" testing
mean?
- There are two kinds of HIV
testing: anonymous and confidential.
All HIV testing at the Berkeley
Free Clinic is anonymous. This means that
no names, addresses, phone
numbers are taken. Clients are identified by
a code number and given a
receipt after the blood draw which must be brought
back in person one
week later to get the test result.
- We
cannot give your results to anyone else, even at your
request.
- If you need a document with your HIV status
written on
it (for example for travel or insurance coverage) you should
go to a clinic
that provides confidential testing. An anonymous test
result will not have
your name on it, so it is useless as a
verification of your status to a
third party. Call (800) FOR AIDS to
find a confidential test site near
you. Some people like to get an
anonymous test before getting a confidential
test so that they aren't
surprised by their result. California law offers
protection from
unwarranted requests for your HIV antibody status.
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How long
does it take to get the
results?
- One week. Results are
available the Sunday following
your test between 4 and 7pm. You must
bring your receipt in person to receive
your result. Results are kept
for 60 days. To get a result after 60 days,
you will have to retest.
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How long
will I
have to wait to get tested?
- When
you arrive you will be given a number and asked
to wait until a
counselor can see you. Sometimes there is a wait of as
much as 60
minutes, but when your turn comes, we'll spend as much time
as you need
to address your concerns and answer all your questions.
- The whole process (test counseling and blood draw)
takes
an average of 25-35 minutes.
- Priority is given to results. When you return, you will
be seen
relatively quickly.
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Do I have
to tell my life story to the counselor in order to get
tested?
- No, but state law
requires that all HIV tests be accompanied
by test counseling. The
counselors at the Berkeley Free Clinic are all
volunteers, trained to
talk about HIV. This means we really enjoy talking
about sex,
relationships, and how to make safer sex work for you. We want
to make
sure you understand the basics of HIV transmission, how to avoid
infection, how the test works, etc. We will also fill out an anonymous
risk questionnaire which helps the state identify unmet needs and
changing
patterns in the epidemic. You may decline to answer any
questions.
- The counselor is there to
answer your questions and discuss
your concerns. Your counselor can
suggest new options to help you enjoy
sex with less worry about HIV and
STDs. If your having problems using condoms
we have lots of suggestions
and free condoms and lube to take with you.
- If you have been tested many times and feel that you
know all
there is to know about testing and HIV, please be patient with
us. We
still have to cover some basic information with you before we can
give
you the test.
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When should
I
get tested?
- You should get
tested whenever you feel it is necessary.
If you are concerned about a
particular partner or risk, try to wait at
least 6 months after the
incident before getting tested.
- Why 6
months? The HIV test is a test for antibodies to
the virus and not for
the virus itself. Antibodies are substances produced
by the body to
fight a specific invading organism. It takes your body anywhere
from
two weeks to six months to produce the antibodies once you've been
infected by HIV. This period is called the window period. This
means
that if you are concerned about a specific risk incident, it will
take
up to six months for the test to be conclusive. Another way to
look at
it is that the test will tell you about your status six months
ago and
before. The window period is usually considered to be six
months long,
however, most people develop the antibodies within the
first three months
after infection. Because a few cases take longer, we
use a six month window
period just to be sure.
- People get tested for lots of reasons. It's very
important
to be aware of your reasons for testing, some of which
may not be
obvious. Some people test because of anxieties or lack of
trust in their
relationships, low self-esteem, trouble maintaining
boundaries with partners,
or because they can't stop doing something
that puts them at risk. If any
of these are concerns for you, your test
counselor will be glad to talk
about this and can also suggest some
other referrals.
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How much
blood
is needed for the test?
Only a
small tube of blood. We use new needles for each
client. If you're a
fainter or are nervous about blood draws, let us know
ahead of time so
we can take special care of you.
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How accurate
is the HIV test?
- The test is extremely accurate. The HIV test actually
involves several separate testing methods. The blood is sent to a state
certified laboratory and first tested with the ELISA test
(Enzyme-Linked
ImmunoSorbant Assay,
sometimes referred to as just
EIA). The ELISA test determines if
HIV antibodies are present in
a person's blood.
- The ELISA test (picture) is
very
sensitive. It will be react even if there are only one or two
antibodies
in the blood sample. If the first ELISA test does not react
with the blood,
no more testing is performed on the sample and the test
result is nonreactive,
or negative.
- If the ELISA test is reactive, or positive, it is repeated.
If
the second ELISA test is also positive, it must be confirmed by another
testing method called the Western Blot test (diagram)
before it can be declared a positive HIV
antibody test. The Western Blot
reacts only to specific HIV
antibodies. Using the two tests together
means that the HIV antibody
test is extremely accurate.
- More Information on Test
Accuracy
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Can I also
get tested for other Sexually Transmitted Diseases?
- Men can get STD screenings and treatment on Sundays
between
5-7 pm. The Berkeley Free Clinic Gay
Men's
Health Collective provides free drop in STD testing to all
men, (straight, bi, or gay) on Sunday evenings at the same time as
the HIV test Clinic. Men can get both confidential testing for STD on
Sundays.
- Women with
symptoms can get
STD screenings and treatments
on weekday evenings and on Saturday mornings.
This service is by
appointment only. Call (510) 548-4811 or (800) 6-CLINIC
at 5:45 pm to
schedule an appointment for that evening or call either of
these
numbers at 9am on Saturday for a same day appointment.
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